Your holiday is the last place you want to get sick. Your health and safety is vital, especially if you want to make the most of your holiday. It’s important that you’re informed about proper health advice and receive the right vaccinations before you travel. There are a number of health risks associated with international travel, including exposure to harmful environments and lack of access to hygienic facilities. Your own general wellbeing at the commencement of your trip is also a factor.
Vaccinations help protect you and your family against dangerous (and even fatal) diseases when overseas.
Before travelling, check if you should receive update vaccinations for any of these diseases:
- cholera
- diphtheria
- hepatitis A
- hepatitis B
- HIV/AIDS
- influenza
- Japanese encephalitis
- malaria
- measles
- meningococcal disease
- mumps
- pertussis (whooping cough)
- pneumococcal disease
- polio
- rabies
- rubella
- varicella (Chickenpox)
- tetanus
- tuberculosis
- typhoid
- yellow fever.
The most common immunisations people receive before travelling to areas with a high risk of specific infections are:
- cholera
- hepatitis A
- Japanese encephalitis
- meningococcal C
- rabies
- tick-borne encephalitis
- typhoid fever
- tuberculosis
- yellow fever.
All around the world, the number of people travelling internationally has increased. Along with them, is the increased risk of diseases spreading. Below is a list of at-risk countries that Australians commonly visit, and the recommended vaccinations.
Indonesia
Recommended vaccinations: hepatitis A and B, influenza and typhoid
Other suggested vaccinations: Japanese encephalitis, rabies and cholera
Thailand
Recommended vaccinations: hepatitis A and B, influenza and typhoid
Other suggested vaccinations: malaria and yellow fever
India
India is a high-risk location and requires a number of vaccinations, including malaria, yellow fever, rabies and Japanese encephalitis.
Vietnam
Recommended vaccinations: hepatitis A and B, typhoid and influenza
Other suggested vaccinations: Japanese encephalitis
Cambodia
Recommended vaccinations: hepatitis A and B, typhoid and influenza
Other suggested vaccinations: Japanese encephaliti
China
Recommended vaccinations: hepatitis A and B, typhoid and influenza
Other suggested vaccinations: rabies, Japanese and tick-borne encephalitis and cholera
Fiji
Recommended vaccinations: hepatitis A and B, influenza and typhoid if travelling to small cities and villages.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of countries and vaccinations. More information can be found at travelvax.com.au and health.gov.au.
You should talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about recommended travel vaccinations that are most relevant to your needs.
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